Edgar Filing: Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

WESTERN ASSET MORTGAGE DEFINED OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-22369

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

620 Eighth Avenue, 49^th Floor, New York, NY 10018

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (888) 777-0102

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2017

ITEM 1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.

LOGO


Semi-Annual Report		June 30, 2017

WESTERN ASSET

MORTGAGE DEFINED OPPORTUNITY FUND INC. (DMO)

LOGO

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE


What’s inside
Letter from the chairman			II
Investment commentary			III
Fund at a glance			1
Spread duration			2
Effective duration			3
Schedule of investments			4
Statement of assets and liabilities			16
Statement of operations			17
Statements of changes in net assets			18
Statement of cash flows			19
Financial highlights			20
Notes to financial statements			22
Additional shareholder information			37
Dividend reinvestment plan			38

Fund objectives

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in a diverse portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, consisting primarily of non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities.

Letter from the chairman

LOGO

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. for the six-month reporting period ended June 30, 2017. Please read on for Fund performance information and a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period.

As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.lmcef.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:

•

Fund prices and performance,

•

Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and

•

A host of educational resources.

We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

July 28, 2017


II		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Investment commentary

Economic review

The pace of U.S. economic activity fluctuated during the six months ended June 30, 2017 (the “reporting period”). Looking back, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that fourth quarter 2016 U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)ⁱ growth was a revised 1.8%. GDP growth then decelerated to revised 1.2% during the first quarter of 2017. Finally, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s initial estimate for second quarter 2017 GDP growth — released after the reporting period ended — was 2.6%. The acceleration in growth reflected a smaller decrease in private inventory investment, an acceleration in personal consumption expenditures and an upturn in federal government spending.

Job growth in the U.S. was solid overall and a tailwind for the economy during the reporting period. When the reporting period ended on June 30, 2017, the unemployment rate was 4.4%, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. The percentage of longer-term unemployed moderately declined over the period. In June 2017, 24.3% of Americans looking for a job had been out of work for more than six months, versus 24.4% when the period began.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		III

Investment commentary (cont’d)

Market review

Q. How did the Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”)ⁱⁱ respond to the economic environment?

A. Looking back, after an extended period of maintaining the federal funds rateⁱⁱⁱ at a historically low range between zero and 0.25%, the Fed increased the rate at its meeting on December 16, 2015. This marked the first rate hike since 2006. In particular, the U.S. central bank raised the federal funds rate to a range between 0.25% and 0.50%. The Fed then kept rates on hold at each meeting prior to its meeting in mid-December 2016. On December 14, 2016, the Fed raised rates to a range between 0.50% and 0.75%.

After holding rates steady at its meeting that concluded on February 1, 2017, the Fed raised rates to a range between 0.75% and 1.00% at its meeting that ended on March 15, 2017. Finally, at its meeting that concluded on June 14, 2017, the Fed raised rates to a range between 1.00% and 1.25%. The Fed also said that it planned to reduce its balance sheet, saying, “The Committee is maintaining its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities and of rolling over maturing Treasury securities at auction. The Committee currently expects to begin implementing a balance sheet normalization program this year, provided that the economy evolves broadly as anticipated.”

Q. Did Treasury yields trend higher or lower during the reporting period?

A. Treasury yields moved sharply higher after the November 2016 U.S. presidential elections given expectations for improving growth and higher inflation. While they subsequently fell from their peak in mid-March 2017, all told short-term Treasury yields moved higher during the six months ended June 30, 2017. In contrast, long-term Treasury yields edged lower over the reporting period as a whole. Two-year Treasury yields began the reporting period at 1.20% and ended the period at 1.38%. Their low for the period of 1.12% occurred on February 24, 2017, and their peak of 1.40% took place on March 13 and March 14, 2017. Ten-year Treasury yields began the reporting period at 2.45% and ended the period at 2.31%. Their low of 2.14% occurred on both June 6 and June 26, 2017, and their peak of 2.62% occurred on March 13, 2017.

Q. What factors impacted the spread sectors (non-Treasuries) during the reporting period?

A. The spread sectors posted mixed results during the reporting period. Performance fluctuated with investor sentiment given signs of generally modest global growth, questions regarding future Fed monetary policy, the aforementioned U.S. elections and several geopolitical issues. The broad U.S. bond market, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index^iv, returned 2.27% during the six months ended June 30, 2017. Within the U.S. bond market, lower rated corporate bonds generated the best returns during the reporting period.

Q. How did the commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) perform during the reporting period?

A. Both CMBS and RMBS generated modest gains during the six months ended June 30, 2017. Demand was solid overall as investors


IV		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

looked to generate incremental yield in the low interest rate environment. Over the six-month reporting period, CMBS, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. CMBS Investment Grade Index^v, gained 2.18%. RMBS, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index^vi, returned 1.35% over the same period.

Performance review

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. returned 11.54% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)^vii and 22.55% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Floating Rate Home Equity Loan Asset Backed Securities Index^viii, returned 3.43% for the same period. The Lipper U.S. Mortgage Closed-End Funds Category Average^ix returned 5.93% over the same time frame. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV.

During this six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $1.41 per share. As of June 30, 2017, the Fund estimates that all of the distributions were sourced from net investment income.* The performance table shows the Fund’s six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of June 30, 2017. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.


Performance Snapshot as of June 30, 2017 (unaudited)
Price Per Share	6-Month Total Return**
$21.58 (NAV)		11.54	%†
$26.28 (Market Price)		22.55	%‡

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.

** Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.

† Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at NAV.

‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

Looking for additional information?

The Fund is traded under the symbol “DMO” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol “XDMOX” on most financial websites. Barron’s and the Wall Street Journal’s Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide

This estimate is not for tax purposes. The Fund will issue a Form 1099 with final composition of the distributions for tax purposes after year-end. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a shareholder’s investment. For more information about a distribution’s composition, please refer to the Fund’s distribution press release or, if applicable, the Section 19 notice located in the press release section of our website, www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund).


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		V

Investment commentary (cont’d)

additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund).

In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

Thank you for your investment in Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

July 28, 2017

RISKS: The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Similar to stocks, the Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market conditions and, at the time of sale, may be worth more or less than the original investment. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Because the Fund is non-diversified, it may be more susceptible to economic, political or regulatory events than a diversified fund.

The Fund’s investments are subject to a number of risks, such as credit risk, inflation risk and interest rate risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Fund’s fixed-income holdings. The Fund may invest in lower-rated high-yield bonds (commonly known as “junk bonds”), which are subject to greater liquidity risk and credit risk (risk of default) than higher-rated obligations. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to additional risks, including prepayment risk, which can limit the potential gains in a declining interest rate environment. The Fund may invest in securities backed by subprime or distressed mortgages which involve a higher degree of risk and chance of loss. Leverage may result in greater volatility of NAV and the market price of common shares and increases a shareholder’s risk of loss. The Fund may make significant investments in derivative instruments. Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. The Fund is not guaranteed by the U.S. government, the U.S. Treasury or any government agency.

All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.


VI		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

ⁱ	Gross domestic product (“GDP”) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time.

ⁱⁱ	The Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of U.S. policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments.

ⁱⁱⁱ	The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day.

^iv	The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index is a broad-based bond index comprised of government, corporate, mortgage- and asset-backed issues, rated investment grade or higher, and having at least one year to maturity.

^v	The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. CMBS Investment Grade Index measures the market of U.S. agency and U.S. non-agency conduit and fusion commercial mortgage-backed security deals with a current deal size of $300 million.

^vi

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index is an unmanaged index composed of agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities, both fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgages, issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

^vii

Net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities, including liabilities associated with financial leverage (if any), from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) by the total number of the common shares outstanding. The NAV fluctuates with changes in the market prices of securities in which the Fund has invested. However, the price at which an investor may buy or sell shares of the Fund is the Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.

^viii

The BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Floating Rate Home Equity Loan Asset Backed Securities Index tracks the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated investment grade floating-rate asset-backed securities collateralized by home equity loans publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Qualifying securities must have an investment grade rating, at least one year remaining to final stated maturity, a floating-rate coupon, and an original deal size for the collateral group of at least $250 million.

^ix

Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 7 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		VII

Fund at a glance^† (unaudited)

Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

LOGO

†

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and does not include derivatives, such as futures contracts, swap contracts and forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		1

Spread duration (unaudited)

Economic exposure — June 30, 2017

LOGO


Total Spread Duration
DMO		— 5.04 years
Benchmark		— 4.33 years

Spread duration measures the sensitivity to changes in spreads. The spread over Treasuries is the annual risk-premium demanded by investors to hold non-Treasury securities. Spread duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in spreads. For a security with positive spread duration, an increase in spreads would result in a price decline and a decline in spreads would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the market sector exposure of the Fund’s sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.


ABS		— Asset-Backed Securities
Benchmark		— BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Floating Rate Home Equity Loan Asset Backed Securities Index
DMO		— Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.
HY		— High Yield
MBS		— Mortgage-Backed Securities


2		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Effective duration (unaudited)

Interest rate exposure — June 30, 2017

LOGO


Total Effective Duration
DMO		— 3.99 years
Benchmark		— 0.04 years

Effective duration measures the sensitivity to changes in relevant interest rates. Effective duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in interest rates. For a security with positive effective duration, an increase in interest rates would result in a price decline and a decline in interest rates would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the interest rate exposure of the Fund’s sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.


ABS		— Asset-Backed Securities
Benchmark		— BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Floating Rate Home Equity Loan Asset Backed Securities Index
DMO		— Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.
HY		— High Yield
MBS		— Mortgage-Backed Securities


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		3

Schedule of investments (unaudited)

June 30, 2017

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount		Value
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — 91.8%
Ace Securities Corp., 2005-RM1 M4		1.798	%		3/25/35	$	3,127,599	$	2,630,307	^(a)(b)
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust, 2005-05 1A1		3.165	%		9/25/35		211,265		164,319	^(a)(b)
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust, 2005-07 2A21		3.082	%		10/25/35		647,275		586,265	^(a)(b)
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust, 2005-12 5A1		1.482	%		3/25/36		335,111		197,339	^(a)(b)
Aegis Asset-Backed Securities Trust, 2005-3 M3		1.472	%		8/25/35		3,460,000		2,357,758	^(a)
AFC Home Equity Loan Trust, 2003-3 1A		1.732	%		10/25/30		1,393,324		1,190,347	^(a)(b)(c)
American Home Mortgage Assets, 2005-2 2A1A		3.510	%		1/25/36		1,075,101		878,135	^(a)(b)
American Home Mortgage Investment Trust, 2007-2 2A		1.578	%		3/25/47		12,747,002		1,096,299	^(a)
American Home Mortgage Investment Trust, 2007-A 4A		1.678	%		7/25/46		2,152,534		1,044,980	^(a)(b)(c)
Argent Securities Inc., 2006-M2 A2C		1.132	%		9/25/36		2,304,874		1,019,636	^(a)(b)
Argent Securities Inc., 2006-M2 A2D		1.222	%		9/25/36		608,325		271,955	^(a)
Argent Securities Inc., 2006-M3 A2C		1.142	%		10/25/36		3,729,772		1,716,156	^(a)(b)
Banc of America Alternative Loan Trust, 2005-9 1CB5, IO		4.118	%		10/25/35		3,995,056		409,622	^(a)(b)
Banc of America Funding Corp., 2004-B 6A1		2.032	%		12/20/34		436,213		316,802	^(a)(b)
Banc of America Funding Corp., 2004-C 3A1		3.361	%		12/20/34		561,874		525,642	^(a)(b)
Banc of America Funding Corp., 2006-D 2A1		4.701	%		5/20/36		42,852		39,491	^(a)(b)
Banc of America Funding Corp., 2006-D 6A1		3.754	%		5/20/36		1,142,498		1,020,634	^(a)(b)
Banc of America Funding Corp., 2006-F 1A1		3.162	%		7/20/36		353,342		346,271	^(a)(b)
Banc of America Funding Corp., 2014-R5 1A2		2.902	%		9/26/45		3,750,000		2,701,534	^(a)(b)(c)
Banc of America Funding Corp., 2015-R2 09A2		1.103	%		3/27/36		4,666,571		3,268,068	^(a)(b)(c)
Banc of America Funding Corp., 2015-R3 2A2		0.901	%		2/27/37		2,473,752		1,588,485	^(a)(b)(c)
Banc of America Funding Corp., 2015-R4 4A3		21.172	%		1/1/30		8,624,599		3,978,903	^(a)(b)(c)
Bayview Financial Acquisition Trust, 2007-A 2A		1.333	%		5/28/37		1,311,128		972,852	^(a)(b)
Bayview Financial Asset Trust, 2007-SR1A M1		1.782	%		3/25/37		3,182,176		2,966,224	^(a)(b)(c)
Bayview Financial Asset Trust, 2007-SR1A M2		1.882	%		3/25/37		3,874,173		3,591,157	^(a)(b)(c)
Bayview Financial Asset Trust, 2007-SR1A M3		2.132	%		3/25/37		1,755,248		1,563,138	^(a)(b)(c)
Bayview Financial Asset Trust, 2007-SR1A M4		2.482	%		3/25/37		757,661		680,929	^(a)(b)(c)
BCAP LLC Trust, 2010-RR6 1212		5.500	%		2/26/35		454,006		446,321	^(b)(c)
BCAP LLC Trust, 2011-RR2 1A4		3.586	%		7/26/36		4,318,605		2,683,071	^(a)(b)(c)
Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust, 2005-9 25A1		3.180	%		11/25/35		411,516		354,996	^(a)(b)
Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust, 2006-2 23A1		3.387	%		3/25/36		1,445,389		1,134,262	^(a)(b)
Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities Trust, 2003-SD2 1A		4.171	%		6/25/43		70,373		68,540	^(a)(b)
Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities Trust, 2004-BO1 M9B		4.778	%		10/25/34		487,000		482,447	^(a)(b)
Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities Trust, 2005-CL1 A1		1.105	%		9/25/34		101,720		97,829	^(a)(b)
Bear Stearns Mortgage Funding Trust, 2007-AR5 2A1		0.958	%		6/25/37		1,818,798		1,590,517	^(a)(b)
Centex Home Equity Loan Trust, 2004-D MV1		1.602	%		9/25/34		994,763		971,946	^(a)(b)
Chase Mortgage Finance Corp., 2006-S3 2A1		5.500	%		11/25/21		222,104		181,178	^(b)
Chaseflex Trust, 2005-2 3A3, IO		4.518	%		6/25/35		12,013,797		1,898,369	^(a)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


4		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount		Value
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — continued
Chevy Chase Mortgage Funding Corp., 2006-2A A1		0.908	%		4/25/47	$	191,662	$	171,169	^(a)(b)(c)
Citicorp Mortgage Securities Inc., 2007-8 B1		5.943	%		9/25/37		3,927,378		2,391,420	^(a)(b)
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust Inc., 2004-HYB3 1A		3.107	%		9/25/34		94,345		94,375	^(a)(b)
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust Inc., 2004-UST1 A2		2.085	%		8/25/34		63,468		61,861	^(a)(b)
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust Inc., 2005-05		3.340	%		8/25/35		223,371		187,390	^(a)(b)
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust Inc., 2005-10 1A1A		3.511	%		12/25/35		239,440		192,551	^(a)(b)
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust Inc., 2006-AR5 2A1A		3.126	%		7/25/36		335,362		247,208	^(a)(b)
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust Inc., 2008-3 A3		6.100	%		4/25/37		7,344,234		3,061,723	^(b)(c)
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2005-11CB 3A3, IO		4.018	%		6/25/35		2,593,789		291,915	^(a)
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2005-14 3A1		2.281	%		5/25/35		306,394		206,891	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2005-36 4A1		2.880	%		8/25/35		593,963		533,464	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2005-J10 1A1		1.482	%		10/25/35		160,569		125,928	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2006-HY10 1A1		2.617	%		5/25/36		556,477		414,119	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2006-J8 A5		6.000	%		2/25/37		125,328		88,924	^(b)
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2007-23CB A4, IO		5.518	%		9/25/37		8,065,833		1,818,839	^(a)
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2007-23CB A8		23.536	%		9/25/37		762,174		1,138,556	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2007-3T1 2A1		6.000	%		3/25/27		345,295		350,901	^(b)
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2007-OA8 1A1		1.162	%		6/25/47		1,983,878		1,696,560	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates, 2006-S7 A3		5.712	%		11/25/35		164,930		164,696	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates, 2006-S9 A3		5.728	%		8/25/36		48,941		48,962	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates, 2006-SD3 A1		1.321	%		7/25/36		836,317		783,847	^(a)(b)(c)
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates, 2007-SE1 1A1		1.541	%		5/25/47		803,301		539,695	^(a)(b)(c)
Countrywide Home Equity Loan Trust, 2004-B 1A		1.214	%		2/15/29		913,922		874,182	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Equity Loan Trust, 2004-L 2A		1.274	%		2/15/34		142,221		128,731	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Equity Loan Trust, 2005-E 2A		1.214	%		11/15/35		111,901		100,625	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Loans, 2004-16 1A3A		1.742	%		9/25/34		927,589		860,621	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Loans, 2005-11 6A1		1.582	%		3/25/35		58,044		51,378	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Loans, 2005-18 A7		16.825	%		10/25/35		27,406		34,193	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Loans, 2005-HYB9 1A1		3.170	%		2/20/36		203,648		183,520	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2005-02 2A1		1.622	%		3/25/35		109,946		108,185	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2005-09 1A1		1.582	%		5/25/35		129,704		112,183	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2005-11 3A3		2.360	%		4/25/35		625,614		452,384	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2005-HY10 1A1		3.509	%		2/20/36		219,696		186,801	^(a)(b)
Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2005-R1 1AF1		1.342	%		3/25/35		391,814		348,358	^(a)(b)(c)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		5

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2017

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount		Value
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — continued
Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2005-R2 2A3		8.000	%		6/25/35	$	82,723	$	86,022	^(b)(c)
Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2006-3 2A1		1.232	%		3/25/36		520,640		425,497	^(a)(b)
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., 2005-10 03A3		5.500	%		11/25/35		396,990		352,826	^(b)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2010-18R 6A5		3.491	%		9/28/36		2,133,000		2,016,922	^(a)(b)(c)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2014-11R 09A2		0.911	%		10/27/36		4,453,765		2,719,313	^(a)(b)(c)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2015-02R 7A2		3.029	%		8/27/36		3,720,760		3,131,547	^(a)(c)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2017-RPL1 B1		3.062	%		7/25/57		3,052,442		2,199,407	^(a)(c)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2017-RPL1 B2		3.062	%		7/25/57		3,501,991		2,081,618	^(a)(c)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2017-RPL1 B3		3.062	%		7/25/57		2,977,486		1,408,202	^(a)(c)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2017-RPL1 B4		3.062	%		7/25/57		3,427,174		817,850	^(a)(c)
Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC, 2006-SL1 A3		1.218	%		9/25/36		4,262,920		830,453	^(a)(b)(c)
Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., 2006-PR1 2PO, PO		0.000	%		4/15/36		47,047		25,170	^(b)(c)
Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., 2006-PR1 4AS1, IO		8.377	%		4/15/36		380,420		104,837	^(a)(c)
Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., 2006-PR1 4AS2, IO		14.410	%		4/15/36		362,873		167,067	^(a)(c)
Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., 2006-PR1 5AS1, IO		9.664	%		4/15/36		96,075		36,396	^(a)(c)
Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., 2006-PR1 5AS3, IO		6.742	%		4/15/36		351,139		105,805	^(a)(c)
Downey Savings & Loan Association Mortgage Loan Trust, 2005-AR2 2A1A		1.188	%		3/19/45		316,635		288,566	^(a)(b)
Downey Savings & Loan Association Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-AR1 2A1B		1.041	%		4/19/47		4,146,811		2,478,935	^(a)
EMC Mortgage Loan Trust, 2002-AA A1		1.931	%		5/25/39		58,953		56,703	^(a)(b)(c)
EMC Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-A A1		1.441	%		12/25/42		530,977		517,618	^(a)(b)(c)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, 2016-1 B, PO		0.000	%		9/25/55		25,541,523		868,386	^(c)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, 2016-1 BIO, IO		0.809	%		9/25/55		60,011,524		2,259,974	^(a)(c)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, 2016-1 XSIO, IO		0.075	%		9/25/55		248,330,253		1,140,084	^(a)(c)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2016-DNA2 B		11.491	%		10/25/28		499,684		629,277	^(a)(b)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2016-DNA3 B		12.241	%		12/25/28		1,039,756		1,351,907	^(a)(b)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2016-DNA4 B		9.591	%		3/25/29		1,590,000		1,774,901	^(a)(b)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2017-DNA1 B2		10.991	%		7/25/29		1,700,000		1,728,534	^(a)(b)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


6		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount		Value
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — continued
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2017-DNA2 B2		12.244	%		10/25/29	$	1,790,000	$	1,794,434	^(a)
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), 2012-134, IO		5.159	%		12/25/42		4,743,040		979,819	^(a)(b)
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) — CAS, 2016-C01 1B		12.741	%		8/25/28		1,889,973		2,545,790	^(a)(c)
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) — CAS, 2016-C02 1B		13.241	%		9/25/28		2,354,177		3,243,313	^(a)(b)(c)
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) — CAS, 2016-C03 1B		12.741	%		10/25/28		1,665,000		2,231,320	^(a)(c)
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) — CAS, 2016-C04 1B		11.241	%		1/25/29		2,639,610		3,284,541	^(a)(b)(c)
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) — CAS, 2016-C06 1B		10.241	%		4/25/29		2,370,000		2,775,116	^(a)(b)(c)
First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust, 2005-AA6 3A1		2.886	%		8/25/35		918,857		801,572	^(a)(b)
First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust, 2006-FA6 2A1, PAC-11		6.250	%		11/25/36		139,183		105,729	^(b)
First Horizon Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2005-AR4 2A1		2.891	%		10/25/35		485,479		462,570	^(a)(b)
First Republic Mortgage Loan Trust, 2000-FRB2 A1		1.494	%		11/15/30		227,450		209,872	^(a)(b)
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, 2000-1A A		1.678	%		3/20/23		66,339		66,031	^(a)(b)(c)
GSAA Home Equity Trust, 2005-11 2A2		1.311	%		10/25/35		4,288,511		3,814,150	^(a)(b)
GSAA Home Equity Trust, 2005-R1 1A2, IO		4.009	%		4/25/35		3,123,145		384,712	^(a)(c)
GSAMP Trust, 2004-SEA2 M2		2.241	%		3/25/34		3,616,806		2,702,673	^(a)(b)
GSMPS Mortgage Loan Trust, 2005-RP1 1A4		8.500	%		1/25/35		76,595		86,863	^(b)(c)
GSMPS Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-RP1 1A2		7.500	%		1/25/36		496,896		528,710	^(b)(c)
GSMPS Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-RP1 1A3		8.000	%		1/25/36		80,602		87,515	^(b)(c)
GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, 2005-AR4 2A1		3.393	%		7/25/35		332,511		300,803	^(a)(b)
GSRPM Mortgage Loan Trust, 2007-1 A		1.391	%		10/25/46		1,770,138		1,534,018	^(a)(b)(c)
HarborView Mortgage Loan Trust, 2005-9 B5		1.978	%		6/20/35		2,255,870		1,656,411	^(a)(b)
HarborView Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-02		3.459	%		2/25/36		40,988		32,933	^(a)(b)
Home Equity Mortgage Trust, 2006-1 A3		1.482	%		5/25/36		3,500,000		99,786	^(a)(b)
Homestar Mortgage Acceptance Corp., 2004-3 M3		2.591	%		7/25/34		683,956		621,820	^(a)(b)
Homestar Mortgage Acceptance Corp., 2004-6 M7		2.941	%		1/25/35		1,132,859		961,895	^(a)(b)
HSI Asset Loan Obligation Trust, 2007-AR1 4A1		3.325	%		1/25/37		197,481		156,224	^(a)(b)
Impac CMB Trust, 2004-8 1A		1.711	%		10/25/34		428,725		412,778	^(a)(b)
Indymac INDA Mortgage Loan Trust, 2005-AR2 1A1		3.015	%		1/25/36		111,991		104,445	^(a)(b)
Indymac INDB Mortgage Loan Trust, 2005-1 A1		1.291	%		11/25/35		1,473,610		1,021,926	^(a)(b)
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust, 2004-AR13 1A1		2.942	%		1/25/35		107,836		100,591	^(a)(b)
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust, 2005-AR15 A2		3.223	%		9/25/35		96,510		90,146	^(a)(b)
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-AR07 5A1		3.271	%		5/25/36		366,373		311,557	^(a)(b)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		7

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2017

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount		Value
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — continued
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-AR09 3A3		3.025	%		6/25/36	$	565,542	$	542,142	^(a)(b)
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-AR11 1A1		3.268	%		6/25/36		524,816		471,569	^(a)(b)
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-AR25 4A3		3.118	%		9/25/36		2,538,657		1,600,168	^(a)(b)
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust, 2007-AR05 2A1		3.291	%		5/25/37		2,138,293		1,813,754	^(a)(b)
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust, 2007-AR07 2A1		2.688	%		6/25/37		254,572		228,078	^(a)(b)
Irwin Home Equity, 2005-C 1M4		7.250	%		4/25/30		608,152		612,916	^(b)
JPMorgan Alternative Loan Trust, 2007-A1 3A1		3.072	%		3/25/37		534,712		477,727	^(a)(b)
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, 2005-S3 1A1		6.500	%		1/25/36		1,131,020		1,001,057	^(b)
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, 2007-S2 3A2		6.000	%		6/25/37		136,045		137,621	^(b)
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, 2007-S2 3A3		6.500	%		6/25/37		44,289		45,315	^(b)
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, 2007-S3 1A18		1.491	%		8/25/37		3,217,643		2,056,881	^(a)
Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2006-3 1A7, IO		4.409	%		7/25/36		7,953,383		2,104,863	^(a)(b)
Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2006-3 2A1		1.351	%		7/25/36		3,373,912		838,529	^(a)(b)
Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2006-3 2A2, IO		6.149	%		7/25/36		3,809,657		1,070,050	^(a)(b)
Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2006-7 1A3, IO		4.359	%		11/25/36		7,261,637		1,594,902	^(a)(b)
Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2006-7 3A2, IO		6.159	%		11/25/36		6,074,026		1,861,811	^(a)(b)
Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2007-1 2A3, IO		5.639	%		2/25/37		11,560,149		3,840,359	^(a)
Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2007-5 2A3		1.321	%		6/25/37		3,625,635		1,146,027	^(a)(b)
Lehman XS Trust, 2005-9N 1A1		1.261	%		2/25/36		1,242,308		1,127,604	^(a)(b)
Lehman XS Trust, 2006-14N 3A2		1.111	%		8/25/36		1,851,422		1,632,946	^(a)(b)
Lehman XS Trust, 2006-19 A4		1.161	%		12/25/36		948,673		796,915	^(a)(b)
Lehman XS Trust, 2007-8H A1		1.121	%		6/25/37		5,409		24,286	^(a)(b)
MASTR Adjustable Rate Mortgages Trust, 2004-12 5A1		3.279	%		10/25/34		138,507		135,721	^(a)(b)
MASTR Adjustable Rate Mortgages Trust, 2006-2 4A1		3.074	%		2/25/36		52,988		51,233	^(a)(b)
MASTR Adjustable Rate Mortgages Trust, 2006-OA1 1A1		1.201	%		4/25/46		341,093		257,661	^(a)(b)
MASTR Asset-Backed Securities Trust, 2005-AB1 A5A		5.712	%		11/25/35		3,360,000		1,935,593	^(b)
MASTR Reperforming Loan Trust, 2005-1 1A2		6.500	%		8/25/34		769,779		757,869	^(b)(c)
MASTR Reperforming Loan Trust, 2005-1 1A3		7.000	%		8/25/34		201,201		204,669	^(b)(c)
MASTR Reperforming Loan Trust, 2005-1 1A4		7.500	%		8/25/34		82,876		87,403	^(b)(c)
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, 2006-A1 2A1		3.204	%		3/25/36		777,552		571,358	^(a)(b)
Morgan Stanley Capital Inc., 2003-NC10 M2		3.691	%		10/25/33		225,773		223,886	^(a)(b)
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust, 2004-6AR 2A2		3.346	%		8/25/34		274,382		273,364	^(a)(b)
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust, 2004-7AR B1		3.259	%		9/25/34		4,019,081		2,023,158	^(a)(b)
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-7 4A2		1.741	%		6/25/36		3,394,460		2,212,695	^(a)(b)
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-8AR 1A2		1.061	%		6/25/36		282,382		118,378	^(a)(b)
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust, 2007-05AX 2A3		1.254	%		2/25/37		2,333,180		1,241,773	^(a)(b)
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust, 2007-15AR 4A1		3.880	%		11/25/37		819,736		717,990	^(a)(b)
Morgan Stanley Re-remic Trust, 2015-R2 1B		1.306	%		12/26/46		958,121		496,579	^(a)(b)(c)
New Century Home Equity Loan Trust, 2004-3 M3		2.056	%		11/25/34		729,006		721,661	^(a)(b)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


8		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount		Value
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — continued
Nomura Resecuritization Trust, 2014-5R 1A9		9.170	%		6/26/35	$	1,876,073	$	1,731,835	^(a)(b)(c)
Popular ABS Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2004-4 M2		4.507	%		9/25/34		1,367,983		1,249,094	^(b)
Prime Mortgage Trust, 2006-DR1 2A1		5.500	%		5/25/35		2,804,763		2,609,660	^(b)(c)
Provident Bank Home Equity Loan Trust, 2000-2 A1		1.531	%		8/25/31		1,073,521		857,418	^(a)(b)
RAAC Series, 2006-RP3 A		1.261	%		5/25/36		482,399		474,783	^(a)(b)(c)
Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust, 2006-1 AF5		6.166	%		5/25/36		592,145		459,568	^(b)
Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust, 2007-1 AF3		5.612	%		4/25/37		3,129,892		1,708,133	^(b)
Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust, 2007-2 AF1		5.893	%		6/25/37		2,596,187		1,369,077	^(b)
Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust, 2007-2 AF2		5.675	%		6/25/37		447,401		227,725	^(b)
Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust, 2007-2 AF5		6.203	%		6/25/37		1,924,304		1,072,876	^(b)
Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust, 2007-2 AF6		5.879	%		6/25/37		3,236,870		1,703,121	^(b)
Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust, 2007-3 AF3		7.238	%		9/25/37		1,609,437		948,735	^(b)
Residential Accredit Loans Inc., 2005-QA3 CB4		3.908	%		3/25/35		2,039,009		1,318,199	^(a)(b)
Residential Accredit Loans Inc., 2006-QA01 A11		3.910	%		1/25/36		607,492		505,019	^(a)(b)
Residential Accredit Loans Inc., 2006-QA04 A		1.171	%		5/25/36		411,498		358,401	^(a)(b)
Residential Accredit Loans Inc., 2006-QO2 A2		1.261	%		2/25/46		4,315,712		2,046,835	^(a)
Residential Accredit Loans Inc., 2006-QS13 1A2, IO		6.169	%		9/25/36		740,902		145,743	^(a)
Residential Accredit Loans Inc., 2007-QA2 A1		1.121	%		2/25/37		354,658		321,559	^(a)(b)
Residential Asset Mortgage Products Inc., 2004-SL3 A3		7.500	%		12/25/31		781,685		779,296	^(b)
Residential Asset Mortgage Products Inc., 2004-SL3 A4		8.500	%		12/25/31		110,684		87,093	^(b)
Residential Asset Mortgage Products Inc., 2005-SL2 A5		8.000	%		10/25/31		523,108		466,191	^(b)
Residential Asset Securities Corp., 2003-KS9 A2B		1.631	%		11/25/33		830,205		706,062	^(a)(b)
Residential Asset Securitization Trust, 2005-A07 A2, IO		6.259	%		6/25/35		2,257,740		470,386	^(a)
Residential Asset Securitization Trust, 2005-A13 1A3		1.461	%		10/25/35		158,988		129,761	^(a)(b)
Residential Asset Securitization Trust, 2006-A1 1A6		1.491	%		4/25/36		1,951,643		1,024,265	^(a)(b)
Residential Asset Securitization Trust, 2006-A1 1A7, IO		4.509	%		4/25/36		4,044,855		835,695	^(a)(b)
Residential Asset Securitization Trust, 2007-A1 A6, IO		6.066	%		3/25/37		4,757,868		1,197,034	^(a)(b)
Residential Asset Securitization Trust, 2007-A2 1A1		6.000	%		4/25/37		328,350		301,602	^(b)
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities I, 2005-SA3 1A		3.287	%		8/25/35		1,527,499		1,239,269	^(a)(b)
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities I, 2006-S8 A12, IO		4.409	%		9/25/36		6,005,359		925,760	^(a)
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities I, 2006-SA2 4A1		4.738	%		8/25/36		356,313		314,705	^(a)(b)
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities I, 2007-S6 1A13, IO		4.509	%		6/25/37		2,907,682		388,489	^(a)
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities II, 2004-HS1 AI6		3.640	%		3/25/34		2,407		2,409	^(a)(b)
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities II, 2005-HI2 M7		6.310	%		5/25/35		220,260		221,334	^(b)
Structured ARM Loan Trust, 2004-07 A3		1.726	%		6/25/34		156,346		146,077	^(a)(b)
Structured ARM Loan Trust, 2004-18 1A2		3.228	%		12/25/34		491,365		464,551	^(a)(b)
Structured ARM Loan Trust, 2005-04 1A1		3.315	%		3/25/35		215,307		187,452	^(a)(b)
Structured ARM Loan Trust, 2005-04 5A		3.462	%		3/25/35		191,125		182,505	^(a)(b)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		9

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2017

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount		Value
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — continued
Structured ARM Loan Trust, 2005-07 1A3		3.327	%		4/25/35	$	115,258	$	113,202	^(a)(b)
Structured ARM Loan Trust, 2005-6XS M2		2.146	%		3/25/35		706,161		747,196	^(a)
Structured ARM Loan Trust, 2006-8 3A5		3.317	%		9/25/36		2,074,903		1,711,541	^(a)(b)
Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust, 2004-8 M9		4.741	%		9/25/34		297,405		247,031	^(a)(b)
Structured Asset Mortgage Investments Inc., 2006-AR5 4A1		1.211	%		5/25/46		703,140		406,010	^(a)(b)
Structured Asset Securities Corp., 2004-20 5A1		6.250	%		11/25/34		136,271		140,721	^(b)
Structured Asset Securities Corp., 2005-RF1 A		1.341	%		3/25/35		74,447		66,130	^(a)(b)(c)
Structured Asset Securities Corp., 2006-RF3 1A1, PAC-11		6.000	%		10/25/36		1,131,810		1,131,999	^(b)(c)
Structured Asset Securities Corp., 2006-RF4 2A2		6.000	%		10/25/36		1,399,204		599,902	^(b)(c)
Wachovia Mortgage Loan Trust LLC, 2005-B 2A2		3.226	%		10/20/35		46,620		42,742	^(a)(b)
Washington Mutual Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2005-08 1A6		19.684	%		10/25/35		308,635		383,949	^(a)(b)
Washington Mutual Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2005-09 5A4		27.015	%		11/25/35		93,569		147,245	^(a)(b)
Washington Mutual Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2005-10 2A3		1.882	%		11/25/35		191,362		151,388	^(a)(b)
Washington Mutual Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2005-AR13 A1C3		1.481	%		10/25/45		354,549		342,561	^(a)(b)
Washington Mutual Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2005-AR15 A1C3		1.471	%		11/25/45		2,033,835		1,387,760	^(a)
Washington Mutual Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2005-AR15 A1C4		1.391	%		11/25/45		1,570,531		1,063,336	^(a)
Washington Mutual Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2006-AR10 A1		0.878	%		12/25/36		535,382		353,136	^(a)(b)
Washington Mutual Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2006-AR15 2A1B		2.116	%		11/25/46		1,155,336		620,166	^(a)(b)
Washington Mutual Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2006-AR16 2A2		2.771	%		12/25/36		328,020		287,677	^(a)(b)
Washington Mutual Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2006-AR18 1A1		2.497	%		1/25/37		39,668		35,914	^(a)(b)
Wells Fargo Alternative Loan Trust, 2007-PA1 A12, IO		4.478	%		3/25/37		4,621,951		582,119	^(a)(b)
Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, 2005-AR2 2A2		3.164	%		3/25/35		98,323		99,509	^(a)(b)
Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, 2006-2 1A4		16.688	%		3/25/36		1,600,269		1,864,544	^(a)(b)
Total Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost — $190,764,569)									206,958,765

See Notes to Financial Statements.


10		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount/ Units		Value
Asset-Backed Securities — 16.2%
Access Group Inc., 2004-A B1		1.699	%		7/1/39		1,400,000	$	1,332,757	^(a)(b)
Bombardier Capital Mortgage Securitization Corp. Trust, 1998-B A		6.530	%		10/15/28		694,783		723,310	^(a)(b)
Bombardier Capital Mortgage Securitization Corp. Trust, 1998-C M1		7.510	%		1/15/29		4,476,817		3,757,461	^(a)(b)
Bombardier Capital Mortgage Securitization Corp. Trust, 1999-A A3		5.980	%		3/15/29		342,304		353,392	^(a)(b)
Carlyle Global Market Strategies, 2015-2A D		6.337	%		4/27/27		1,250,000		1,240,007	^(a)(b)(c)
Catskill Park CLO Ltd., 2017-1A D		7.085	%		4/20/29		1,900,000		1,852,804	^(a)(c)
Conseco Financial Corp., 1997-4 M1		7.220	%		2/15/29		2,094,018		2,172,036	^(a)(b)
Dryden Senior Loan Fund, 2015-40A E		6.989	%		8/15/28		1,300,000		1,300,413	^(a)(b)(c)
Firstfed Corp. Manufactured Housing Contract, 1997-2 B		8.110	%		5/15/24		324,515		249,267	^(b)(c)
GoldenTree Loan Opportunities Ltd., 2015-10A E2		6.230	%		7/20/27		1,250,000		1,252,407	^(a)(b)(c)
Greenpoint Manufactured Housing, 1999-3 1A7		7.270	%		6/15/29		947,234		975,922	^(b)
Greenpoint Manufactured Housing, 1999-3 2A2		4.890	%		6/19/29		325,000		314,009	^(a)(b)(e)
Greenpoint Manufactured Housing, 2001-2 IA2		4.358	%		2/20/32		225,000		214,498	^(a)(b)
Greenpoint Manufactured Housing, 2001-2 IIA2		4.391	%		3/13/32		375,000		358,345	^(a)(b)
Kabbage Funding LLC, 2017-1 C		8.000	%		3/15/22		590,000		597,540	^(b)(c)
Nationstar HECM Loan Trust, 2015-2A M2		6.657	%		11/25/25		940,000		941,466	^(b)(c)(e)
Neuberger Berman CLO Ltd., 2015-19A D		6.273	%		7/15/27		2,000,000		1,940,844	^(a)(b)(c)
Origen Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, 2006-A A2		2.562	%		10/15/37		1,650,215		1,464,054	^(a)(b)
Origen Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, 2007-A A2		2.575	%		4/15/37		1,696,883		1,582,854	^(a)(b)
Popular ABS Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2005-5 MV2		1.612	%		11/25/35		2,249,564		1,285,844	^(a)(b)
Purchasing Power Funding, 2015-A C		8.000	%		12/15/19		1,521,243		1,544,062	^(b)(c)(e)
Receivables Acquisition LLC, 2017-1 A2B		6.991	%		9/16/19		1,515,820		1,515,820	^(e)
SMB Private Education Loan Trust, 2014-A C		4.500	%		9/15/45		2,330,000		2,041,434	^(b)(c)
SMB Private Education Loan Trust, 2014-A R		0.000	%		9/15/45		6,875		3,437,500	^(b)(c)(d)(e)
Social Professional Loan Program LLC, 2014-A RC		0.000	%		7/14/2124		700		849,265	^(b)(c)(e)
Treman Park CLO Ltd., 2015-1A E		7.081	%		4/20/27		1,800,000		1,805,566	^(a)(b)(c)
Upstart Securitization Trust, 2017-1 B		3.802	%		6/20/24		960,000		961,291	^(a)(c)
Voya CLO Ltd., 2017-2A D		7.325	%		6/7/30		600,000		586,614	^(a)(c)
Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost — $35,431,587)									36,650,782

						Face Amount
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 32.2%
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2007-2 AJ		5.708	%		4/10/49	$	1,472,429		1,410,140	^(a)(b)
BLCP Hotel Trust, 2014-CLMZ M		6.722	%		8/15/29		1,379,647		1,397,063	^(a)(b)(c)
CD Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2007-CD4 AJ		5.398	%		12/11/49		326,993		203,729	^(a)(b)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		11

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2017

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount		Value
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — continued
CGBAM Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2016-IMC E		8.394	%		11/15/21	$	3,300,000	$	3,203,693	^(a)(b)(c)
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-GC27 E		3.000	%		2/10/48		2,000,000		1,178,144	^(b)(c)
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-GC29 E		4.154	%		4/10/48		2,950,000		1,964,443	^(a)(b)(c)
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-GC29 F		4.154	%		4/10/48		1,410,000		692,744	^(a)(b)(c)
Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2013-CR09 E		4.397	%		7/10/45		3,500,000		2,609,113	^(a)(b)(c)
Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2013-CR12 E		5.252	%		10/10/46		110,000		77,231	^(a)(b)(c)
Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2014-LC17 D		3.687	%		10/10/47		2,300,000		1,619,029	^(c)
Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-CR25 D		3.948	%		8/10/48		100,000		80,450	^(a)(b)
Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-CR25 E		4.698	%		8/10/48		3,000,000		2,030,232	^(a)(b)(c)
Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-CR25 F		4.698	%		8/10/48		1,400,000		677,557	^(a)(b)(c)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2006-1R 1A2		16.825	%		7/27/36		901,147		1,108,245	^(a)(b)(c)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2006-C5 AJ		5.373	%		12/15/39		1,439,721		1,341,254	^(b)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2007-C5 AM		5.869	%		9/15/40		1,940,000		1,898,740	^(a)(b)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2014-USA F		4.373	%		9/15/37		1,620,000		1,354,563	^(b)(c)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2015-LHMZ		8.928	%		7/20/20		3,000,000		2,988,732	^(b)(c)
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2017-CHOP H		8.446	%		7/15/32		3,300,000		3,287,490	^(a)(c)
DBUBS Mortgage Trust, 2011-LC3A G		3.750	%		8/10/44		2,600,000		1,408,503	^(b)(c)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC), Multi-Family Structured Pass-Through Certificates, K034 X3, IO		1.725	%		9/25/41		10,200,000		919,880	^(a)(b)
GE Business Loan Trust, 2005-1A D		3.714	%		6/15/33		520,350		457,452	^(a)(b)(c)
GE Business Loan Trust, 2006-1A C		1.414	%		5/15/34		128,126		116,759	^(a)(b)(c)
GMAC Commercial Mortgage Securities Inc., 2006-C1 AJ		5.349	%		11/10/45		989,259		844,926	^(a)(b)
GS Mortgage Securities Trust, 2006-GG8 AJ		5.622	%		11/10/39		118,884		109,343	^(b)
GS Mortgage Securities Trust, 2007-GG10 AJ		6.040	%		8/10/45		4,800,000		2,130,672	^(a)(b)
GS Mortgage Securities Trust, 2007-GG10 AM		6.040	%		8/10/45		1,391,722		1,409,819	^(a)(b)
GS Mortgage Securities Trust, 2013-GC14 F		4.923	%		8/10/46		320,000		245,475	^(a)(b)(c)
GS Mortgage Securities Trust, 2015-GS1 D		3.268	%		11/10/48		2,500,000		1,989,687	^(b)
Hyatt Hotel Portfolio Trust, 2014-HYMZ M		7.219	%		11/15/19		1,750,000		1,770,521	^(a)(b)(c)
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2015-C31 D		4.118	%		8/15/48		550,000		415,463	^(a)(b)
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2006-CB16 AJ		5.623	%		5/12/45		309,625		266,657	^(b)
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2006-LDP7 AJ		6.138	%		4/17/45		940,000		725,751	^(a)(b)
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2006-LDP9 AJ		5.411	%		5/15/47		2,290,000		1,624,873	^(b)
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2006-LDP9 AJS		5.386	%		5/15/47		420,000		216,193	^(a)(b)
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2007-CB18 AJ		5.502	%		6/12/47		600,000		520,815	^(a)(b)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


12		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount		Value
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — continued
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2007-CB19 AJ		5.933	%		2/12/49	$	1,610,000	$	1,351,088	^(a)(b)
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2007-LD12 AJ		6.066	%		2/15/51		1,080,000		1,050,819	^(a)(b)
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2007-LDPX AJ		5.503	%		1/15/49		2,650,000		806,925	^(a)(b)
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2014-CBMZ M		7.219	%		10/15/19		1,900,000		1,912,666	^(a)(b)(c)
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2007-C6 AJ		6.181	%		7/15/40		1,359,000		1,381,084	^(a)(b)
ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2007-5 AJ		5.450	%		8/12/48		209,537		176,893	^(a)(b)
ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2007-9 AJ		6.193	%		9/12/49		1,422,000		1,124,802	^(a)(b)
ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2007-9 AJA		6.222	%		9/12/49		400,000		316,396	^(a)(b)
Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, 2015-C21 E		3.012	%		3/15/48		750,000		450,387	^(b)(c)
Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, 2015-C25 E		4.529	%		10/15/48		2,000,000		1,348,880	^(a)(b)(c)
Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, 2015-C25 F		4.529	%		10/15/48		900,000		511,364	^(a)(b)(c)
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, 2007-IQ13 AJ		5.438	%		3/15/44		754,352		703,809	^(b)
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, 2007-IQ16 AJ		6.303	%		12/12/49		1,590,000		1,455,877	^(a)(b)
Motel 6 Trust, 2015-MTL6 F		5.000	%		2/5/30		2,520,000		2,498,481	^(b)(c)
UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2012-C2 G		5.000	%		5/10/63		3,130,000		2,038,869	^(a)(b)(c)
UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2012-C2 H		5.000	%		5/10/63		5,510,000		2,641,152	^(a)(b)(c)
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2006-C27 AJ		5.825	%		7/15/45		759,190		769,159	^(a)
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2013-LC12 E		3.500	%		7/15/46		130,000		83,431	^(b)(c)
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-C31 E		4.611	%		11/15/48		2,000,000		1,333,046	^(a)(b)(c)
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-SG1 D		4.471	%		9/15/48		400,000		312,464	^(a)(b)
WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2011-C4 F		5.000	%		6/15/44		3,870,000		3,177,839	^(a)(b)(c)
WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2012-C9 E		4.800	%		11/15/45		3,500,000		2,772,609	^(a)(b)(c)
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost — $77,833,445)									72,513,421
Corporate Bonds & Notes — 0.3%
Consumer Staples — 0.3%
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.3%
CVS Corp., Pass-Through Trust		9.350	%		1/10/23		479,444		554,463	^(b)(c)
Industrials — 0.0%
Airlines — 0.0%
Air 2 U.S., Notes		8.027	%		10/1/19		37,428		39,042	^(b)(c)
Total Corporate Bonds & Notes (Cost — $532,095)									593,505
Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $304,561,696)									316,716,473

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		13

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2017

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount		Value
Short-Term Investments — 4.9%
Repurchase Agreements — 4.4%
Bank of America repurchase agreement dated 6/30/17; Proceeds at maturity — $4,100,369; (Fully collateralized by U.S. government obligations, 3.750% due 11/15/43; Market value — $4,179,348)		1.080	%		7/3/17	$	4,100,000	$	4,100,000
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. repurchase agreement dated 6/30/17; Proceeds at maturity — $5,900,561; (Fully collateralized by U.S. government obligations, 2.625% due 7/15/17; Market Value — $6,023,416)		1.140	%		7/3/17		5,900,000		5,900,000
Total Repurchase Agreements (Cost — $10,000,000)									10,000,000

						Shares
Money Market Funds — 0.5%
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class (Cost — $1,068,974)		0.935	%				1,068,974		1,068,974
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost — $11,068,974)									11,068,974
Total Investments — 145.4% (Cost — $315,630,670#)									327,785,447
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (45.4)%									(102,293,643	)
Total Net Assets — 100.0%								$	225,491,804

^(a)	Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available.

^(b)	All or a portion of this security is pledged as collateral pursuant to the loan agreement (See Note 5).

^(c)

Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise noted.

^(d)	Security is valued in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors (See Note 1).

^(e)	Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs (See Note 1).

#	Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is substantially the same.


Abbreviations used in this schedule:
ARM		— Adjustable Rate Mortgage
CLO		— Collateral Loan Obligation
IO		— Interest Only
PAC		— Planned Amortization Class
PO		— Principal Only

At June 30, 2017, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:


	Number of Contracts		Expiration Date		Notional Amount		Market Value		Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Contracts to Buy:
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes		9		9/17	$	1,062,790	$	1,060,523	$	(2,267)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


14		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


	Number of Contracts		Expiration Date		Notional Amount		Market Value		Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Contracts to Sell:
U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes		12		9/17	$	2,597,024	$	2,593,313	$	3,711
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes		145		9/17		18,249,138		18,202,031		47,107
										50,818
Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts									$	48,551

At June 30, 2017, the Fund had the following open swap contracts:

OTC TOTAL RETURN SWAPS

Swap Counterparty

Notional
Amount*

Termination
Date

Periodic
Payments
Made by
the Fund

Periodic
Payments
Received by
the Fund^†

Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)

Unrealized
Depreciation

Credit Suisse

4,784,506

^EUR

4/20/20

EURIBOR quarterly

Credit Suisse European
Mortgage Capital,
2015-1HWA A,
2.750%^(a), due
4/20/20, quarterly

—

(64,033)

^(b)

*	Notional amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

†	Periodic payments made/received by the Fund are based on the total return of the referenced entity.

^(a)	Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available.

^(b)	Swap contract is valued in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors (See Note 1).


Abbreviation used in this table:
EUR		— Euro

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		15

Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)

June 30, 2017



Assets:
Investments in securities, at value (Cost — $315,630,670)	$	327,785,447
Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $35,054)		35,927
Interest receivable		1,320,244
Deposits with brokers for OTC swap contracts		860,000
Deposits with brokers for open futures contracts		200,038
Receivable from broker — variation margin on open futures contracts		40,360
Receivable for securities sold		37,273
Prepaid expenses		9,078
*Total Assets*		*330,288,367*

Liabilities:
Loan payable (Note 5)		101,750,000
Distributions payable		2,428,898
Investment management fee payable		269,068
Interest payable		73,241
OTC swaps, at value		64,033
Directors’ fees payable		6,249
Accrued expenses		205,074
*Total Liabilities*		*104,796,563*
Total Net Assets	$	225,491,804

Net Assets:
Par value ($0.001 par value; 10,447,908 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized)	$	10,448
Paid-in capital in excess of par value		196,550,299
Undistributed net investment income		15,353,184
Accumulated net realized gain on investments, futures contracts, swap contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency transactions		1,437,704
Net unrealized appreciation on investments, futures contracts, swap contracts and foreign currencies		12,140,169
Total Net Assets	$	225,491,804

Shares Outstanding		10,447,908

Net Asset Value		$21.58

See Notes to Financial Statements.


16		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Statement of operations (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017



Investment Income:
Interest and distributions	$	13,411,035
Return of capital (Note 1 (o))		(403,099)
*Total Investment Income*		*13,007,936*

Expenses:
Investment management fee (Note 2)		1,597,356
Interest expense (Note 5)		947,264
Audit and tax fees		110,423
Directors’ fees		28,201
Legal fees		25,193
Commitment fees (Note 5)		22,940
Transfer agent fees		15,526
Shareholder reports		14,728
Fund accounting fees		11,021
Stock exchange listing fees		7,641
Insurance		2,072
Custody fees		1,676
Miscellaneous expenses		8,821
*Total Expenses*		*2,792,862*
Net Investment Income		10,215,074

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions (Notes 1, 3 and 4):
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:
Investment transactions		3,050,056
Futures contracts		(364,829)
Swap contracts		59,355
Forward foreign currency contracts		(1,224)
Foreign currency transactions		188
*Net Realized Gain*		*2,743,546*
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From:
Investment transactions		10,773,061
Futures contracts		60,028
Swap contracts		122,508
Forward foreign currency contracts		1,224
Foreign currencies		886
*Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)*		*10,957,707*
Net Gain on Investments, Futures Contracts, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions		13,701,253
Increase in Net Assets From Operations	$	23,916,327

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		17

Statements of changes in net assets


For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (unaudited) and the Year Ended December 31, 2016	2017		2016

Operations:
Net investment income	$	10,215,074	$	15,314,855
Net realized gain		2,743,546		5,437,795
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)		10,957,707		(10,845,107)
*Increase in Net Assets From Operations*		*23,916,327*		*9,907,543*

Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1):
Net investment income		(14,726,265)		(30,791,910)
Net realized gains		—		(560,457)
*Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders*		*(14,726,265)*		*(31,352,367)*

Fund Share Transactions:
Reinvestment of distributions (6,562 and 18,604 shares issued, respectively)		151,257		411,038
*Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions*		*151,257*		*411,038*
*Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets*		*9,341,319*		*(21,033,786)*

Net Assets:
Beginning of period		216,150,485		237,184,271
End of period*	$	225,491,804	$	216,150,485
*Includes undistributed net investment income of:		$15,353,184		$19,864,375

See Notes to Financial Statements.


18		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Statement of cash flows (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017



Increase (Decrease) in Cash:
Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities:
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations	$	23,916,327
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Purchases of portfolio securities		(54,638,623)
Sales of portfolio securities		66,169,026
Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments		(8,441,380)
Net amortization of premium (accretion of discount)		(623,052)
Decrease in receivable for securities sold		141,056
Decrease in interest receivable		158,633
Increase in receivable from broker — variation margin on open futures contracts		(40,360)
Increase in prepaid expenses		(2,850)
Decrease in principal paydown receivable		5,530
Decrease in deposits with brokers for open futures contracts		24,004
Decrease in deposits with brokers for OTC swap contracts		140,000
Decrease in investment management fee payable		(3,414)
Increase in Directors’ fees payable		125
Decrease in interest payable		(7,430)
Decrease in accrued expenses		(714,123)
Decrease in payable to broker — variation margin on open futures contracts		(51,742)
Net realized gain on investments		(3,050,056)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, OTC swap contracts and forward foreign currency transactions		(10,896,793)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities*		*12,084,878*

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Distributions paid on common stock		(12,146,110)
*Net Cash Used in Financing Activities*		*(12,146,110)*
Net Decrease in Cash		(61,232)
Cash at Beginning of Period		97,159
Cash at End of Period	$	35,927

Non-Cash Financing Activities:
Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions	$	151,257

*	Included in operating expenses is cash of $975,927 paid for interest and commitment fees on borrowings.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		19

Financial highlights


For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended December 31, unless otherwise noted:
	2017^1,2			2016¹			2015¹			2014¹			2013¹			2012

Net asset value, beginning of period		$20.70			$22.76			$24.75			$23.78			$23.88			$19.01

Income (loss) from operations:
Net investment income		0.98			1.47			2.13			1.87			1.44			1.68
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		1.31			(0.53)			(0.80)			2.19			2.16			6.07
*Total income from operations*		*2.29*			*0.94*			*1.33*			*4.06*			*3.60*			*7.75*

Less distributions from:
Net investment income		(1.41)	³		(2.95)			(2.33)			(1.75)			(1.62)			(1.80)
Net realized gains		—			(0.05)			(0.99)			(1.34)			(2.08)			(1.08)
*Total distributions*		*(1.41)*			*(3.00)*			*(3.32)*			*(3.09)*			*(3.70)*			*(2.88)*

Net asset value, end of period		$21.58			$20.70			$22.76			$24.75			$23.78			$23.88

Market price, end of period		$26.28			$22.79			$23.55			$23.84			$23.18			$24.21
*Total return, based on NAV^4,5*		*11.54*	%		*4.47*	%		*5.44*	%		*17.55*	%		*15.65*	%		*42.32*	%
*Total return, based on Market Price⁶*		*22.55*	%		*10.80*	%		*13.56*	%		*16.76*	%		*12.14*	%		*40.09*	%

Net assets, end of period (000s)		$225,492			$216,150			$237,184			$257,621			$247,551			$248,407

Ratios to average net assets:
Gross expenses		2.56	%⁷		2.97	%		2.39	%		2.36	%		2.33	%		1.89	%⁸
Net expenses		2.56	⁷		2.97			2.39			2.36			2.33			1.89	⁸
Net investment income		9.35	⁷		6.78			8.65			7.39			5.83			7.53

Portfolio turnover rate		18	%		23	%⁹		24	%		35	%		32	%		46	%

Supplemental data:
Loan Outstanding, End of Period (000s)		$101,750			$101,750			$80,500			$116,700			$116,700			$30,000
Asset Coverage Ratio for Loan Outstanding¹⁰		322	%		312	%		395	%		321	%		312	%		927	%
Asset Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Loan Outstanding¹⁰		$3,216			$3,124			$3,946			$3,208	¹¹		$3,121	¹¹		$9,280	¹¹
Weighted Average Loan (000s)		$101,750			$90,984			$99,544			$116,700			$112,256			$32,720
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loan		1.88	%		1.50	%		1.06	%		1.02	%		1.04	%		1.08	%

See Notes to Financial Statements.


20		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

¹	Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

²	For the six months ended June 30, 2017 (unaudited).

³	The actual source of the Fund’s current fiscal year distributions may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year.

⁴

Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

⁵

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Prior to January 1, 2012, the total return calculation assumed the reinvestment of all distributions in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

⁶	The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

⁷	Annualized.

⁸	Does not include expenses of PPIP Limited Partnership in which the Fund invested.

⁹	Excluding mortgage dollar roll transactions. If mortgage dollar roll transactions had been included, the portfolio turnover rate would have been 24%.

¹⁰	Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding at the end of the period divided by the loan outstanding at the end of the period.

¹¹	Added to conform to current period presentation.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		21

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on December 11, 2009 and is registered as a non-diversified, limited-term, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in a diverse portfolio of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), consisting primarily of non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”). The Fund intends to liquidate and distribute substantially all of the Fund’s net assets to shareholders on or about March 1, 2022.

The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.

(a) Investment valuation. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Short-term fixed income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investment’s fair value. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the


22		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the supervision of the daily valuation process to the Legg Mason North Atlantic Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to the Board of Directors. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuer’s financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts’ research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.

The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		23

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:


ASSETS
Description	Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Long-term investments†:
Residential mortgage-backed securities		—	$	206,958,765		—	$	206,958,765
Asset-backed securities		—		28,048,660	$	8,602,122		36,650,782
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		—		72,513,421		—		72,513,421
Corporate bonds & notes		—		593,505		—		593,505
Total long-term investments		—		308,114,351		8,602,122		316,716,473
Short-term investments†:
Repurchase agreements		—		10,000,000		—		10,000,000
Money market funds	$	1,068,974		—		—		1,068,974
Total short-term investments		1,068,974		10,000,000		—		11,068,974
Total investments	$	1,068,974	$	318,114,351	$	8,602,122	$	327,785,447
Other financial instruments:
Futures contracts		50,818		—		—		50,818
Total	$	1,119,792	$	318,114,351	$	8,602,122	$	327,836,265

LIABILITIES
Description	Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Other financial instruments:
OTC total return swaps		—	$	64,033		—	$	64,033
Futures contracts	$	2,267		—		—		2,267
Total	$	2,267	$	64,033		—	$	66,300

†	See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.


24		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:


Investments in Securities	Asset-Backed Securities		Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	7,782,592	$	3,870,000	$	11,652,592
Accrued premiums/discounts		2,650		—		2,650
Realized gain (loss)¹		23,382		—		23,382
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)²		178,703		130,000		308,703
Purchases		1,704,389		—		1,704,389
Sales		(1,089,594)		(4,000,000)		(5,089,594)
Transfers into Level 3		—		—		—
Transfers out of Level 3		—		—		—
Balance as of June 30, 2017	$	8,602,122		—	$	8,602,122
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments in securities still held at June 30, 2017²	$	156,363		—	$	156,363

The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers between levels as of the end of the reporting period.

¹	This amount is included in net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions in the accompanying Statement of Operations.

This amount is included in the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the accompanying Statement of Operations. Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) includes net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in investment values during the reporting period and the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation (depreciation) when gains or losses are realized.

(b) Repurchase agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that its subadviser has determined are creditworthy. Each repurchase agreement is recorded at cost. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires a debt security subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and of the Fund to resell, the security at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the Fund’s holding period. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Fund’s policy that its custodian or a third party custodian, acting on the Fund’s behalf, take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the market value of which, at all times, at least equals the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction maturity exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market and measured against the value of the agreement in an effort to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund generally has the right to use the collateral to satisfy the terms of the repurchase transaction. However, if the market value of the collateral declines during the period in which the Fund seeks to assert its rights or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.

(c) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		25

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

certain asset classes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or cash equivalents with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the ‘‘initial margin’’ and subsequent payments (‘‘variation margin’’) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.

Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.

(d) Forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund enters into a forward foreign currency contract to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risk on its non-U.S. dollar denominated securities or to facilitate settlement of a foreign currency denominated portfolio transaction. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price with delivery and settlement at a future date. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When a forward foreign currency contract is closed, through either delivery or offset by entering into another forward foreign currency contract, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it is closed.

Forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the forward foreign currency contract. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

(e) Foreign currency translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.


26		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.

(f) Leverage. The Fund may seek to enhance the level of its current distributions to holders of common stock through the use of leverage. The Fund may use leverage directly at the Fund level through borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions or through a qualified government sponsored program, the use of reverse repurchase agreements and/or the issuance of debt securities (collectively, “Borrowings”), and possibly through the issuance of preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”), in an aggregate amount of up to approximately 33¹/₃% of the Fund’s Total Assets immediately after such Borrowings and/or issuances of Preferred Stock. “Total Assets” means net assets of the Fund plus the amount of any Borrowings and assets attributable to Preferred Stock that may be outstanding. Currently, the Fund has no intention to issue notes or debt securities or Preferred Stock. In addition, the Fund may enter into additional reverse repurchase agreements and/or use similar investment management techniques that may provide leverage, but which are not subject to the foregoing 33¹/₃% limitation so long as the Fund has covered its commitment with respect to such techniques by segregating liquid assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering related obligations.

(g) Mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-Backed Securities (“MBS”) include CMBS and RMBS. These securities depend on payments (except for rights or other assets designed to assure the servicing or timely distribution of proceeds to holders of such securities) primarily from the cash flow from secured commercial or residential mortgage loans made to borrowers. Such loans are secured (on a first priority basis or second priority basis, subject to permitted liens, easements and other encumbrances) by commercial or residential real estate, the proceeds of which are used to purchase and or to construct commercial or residential real estate. The value of some mortgage-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. The value of these securities may fluctuate in response to the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuers. Additionally, although certain mortgage-related securities are supported by some form of government or private guarantee and/or insurance, there is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers will meet their obligations.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		27

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

(h) Stripped securities. The Fund may invest in ‘‘Stripped Securities,’’ a term used collectively for components, or strips, of fixed income securities. Stripped Securities can be principal only securities (“PO”), which are debt obligations that have been stripped of unmatured interest coupons, or interest only securities (“IO”), which are unmatured interest coupons that have been stripped from debt obligations. The market value of Stripped Securities will fluctuate in response to changes in economic conditions, rates of pre-payment, interest rates and the market’s perception of the securities. However, fluctuations in response to interest rates may be greater in Stripped Securities than for debt obligations of comparable maturities that pay interest currently. The amount of fluctuation may increase with a longer period of maturity.

The yield to maturity on IO’s is sensitive to the rate of principal repayments (including prepayments) on the related underlying debt obligation and principal payments may have a material effect on yield to maturity. If the underlying debt obligation experiences greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may not fully recoup its initial investment in IO’s.

(i) Loan participations. The Fund may invest in loans arranged through private negotiation between one or more financial institutions. The Fund’s investment in any such loan may be in the form of a participation in or an assignment of the loan. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement related to the loan, or any rights of off-set against the borrower and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation.

The Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower, the lender that is selling the participation and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any off-set between the lender and the borrower.

(j) Swap agreements. The Fund invests in swaps for the purpose of managing its exposure to interest rate, credit or market risk, or for other purposes, including to increase the Fund’s return. The use of swaps involves risks that are different from those associated with other portfolio transactions. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC Swaps”) or centrally cleared (“Centrally Cleared Swaps”). Unlike Centrally Cleared Swaps, the Fund has credit exposure to the counterparties of OTC Swaps.

In a Centrally Cleared Swap, immediately following execution of the swap, the swap agreement is submitted to a clearinghouse or central counterparty (the “CCP”) and the CCP becomes the ultimate counterparty of the swap agreement. The Fund is required to interface with the CCP through a broker, acting in an agency capacity. All payments are settled with the CCP through the broker. Upon entering into a Centrally Cleared Swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities.


28		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Swap contracts are marked-to-market daily and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). The daily change in valuation of Centrally Cleared Swaps, if any, is recorded as a receivable or payable for variation margin on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains or losses are realized upon termination of the swap agreement. Collateral, in the form of restricted cash or securities, may be required to be held in segregated accounts with the Fund’s custodian in compliance with the terms of the swap contracts. Securities posted as collateral for swap contracts are identified in the Schedule of Investments and restricted cash, if any, is identified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks may exceed amounts recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These risks include changes in the returns of the underlying instruments, failure of the counterparties to perform under the contracts’ terms, and the possible lack of liquidity with respect to the swap agreements.

OTC swap payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are reflected as a premium or deposit, respectively, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These upfront payments are amortized over the life of the swap and are recognized as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are recognized as a realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.

The Fund’s maximum exposure in the event of a defined credit event on a credit default swap to sell protection is the notional amount. As of June 30, 2017, the Fund did not hold any credit default swaps to sell protection.

For average notional amounts of swaps held during the six months ended June 30, 2017, see Note 4.

Total return swaps

The Fund enters into total return swaps for investment purposes. Total return swaps are agreements to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. For example, the agreement to pay a predetermined or fixed interest rate in exchange for a market-linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent the total return of a referenced index or instrument exceeds the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from the counterparty. To the extent it is less, the Fund will make a payment to the counterparty.

(k) Cash flow information. The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, which are paid in cash and may be reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.

(l) Credit and market risk. Investments in securities that are collateralized by real estate mortgages are subject to certain credit and liquidity risks. When market conditions result in an increase in default rates of the underlying mortgages and the foreclosure values of underlying real estate properties are materially below the outstanding amount of these underlying mortgages, collection of the full amount of accrued interest and principal on


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		29

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

these investments may be doubtful. Such market conditions may significantly impair the value and liquidity of these investments and may result in a lack of correlation between their credit ratings and values.

(m) Foreign investment risks. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.

(n) Counterparty risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions, where the Fund is exposed to counterparty credit risk in addition to broader market risks. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers, which may also be considered counterparties as trading partners in other transactions. This may increase the risk of loss in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty or if the counterparty otherwise fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Fund’s subadviser attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by (i) periodically assessing the creditworthiness of its trading partners, (ii) monitoring and/or limiting the amount of its net exposure to each individual counterparty based on its assessment and (iii) requiring collateral from the counterparty for certain transactions. Market events and changes in overall economic conditions may impact the assessment of such counterparty risk by the subadviser. In addition, declines in the values of underlying collateral received may expose the Fund to increased risk of loss.

The Fund has entered into master agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties that provide for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral, events of default or termination and credit related contingent features. The credit related contingent features include, but are not limited to, a percentage decrease in the Fund’s net assets or NAV over a specified period of time. If these credit related contingent features were triggered, the derivatives counterparty could terminate the positions and demand payment or require additional collateral.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Schedule of Investments.

Absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the terms of the master agreements do not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty. The enforceability of the right to offset may vary by jurisdiction.


30		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

As of June 30, 2017, the Fund held OTC total return swaps with credit related contingent features which had a liability position of $64,033. If a contingent feature in the master agreements would have been triggered, the Fund would have been required to pay this amount to its derivatives counterparties. As of June 30, 2017, the Fund had posted with its counterparties cash and/or securities as collateral to cover the net liability of these derivatives amounting to $860,000, which could be used to reduce the required payment.

(o) Partnership accounting policy. The Fund records its pro rata share of the income (loss) and capital gains (losses), to the extent of distributions it has received, allocated from the underlying partnerships and accordingly adjusts the cost basis of the underlying partnerships for return of capital. These amounts are included in the Fund’s Statement of Operations.

(p) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Effective April 1, 2017, the Fund changed its methodology for accreting market discounts and amortizing market premiums on debt securities, primarily due to changes in the Fund’s portfolio composition. Prior to April 1, 2017, the Fund accreted market discounts and amortized market premiums on debt securities using the effective yield method. The accretion of market discounts and amortization of market premiums required the application of several assumptions including, but not limited to, prepayment assumptions and default rate assumptions, which were re-evaluated not less than quarterly and required the use of a significant amount of judgment. Principal write-offs were generally treated as realized losses. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage- and asset-backed securities were recorded as capital gains and losses. The Fund’s accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums for U.S. federal and other tax purposes was likely to differ from the financial accounting treatment under GAAP of these items as described above. Beginning April 1, 2017, the Fund is accreting market discounts and amortizing market premiums on debt securities using the effective interest method. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage- and asset-backed securities are recorded as adjustments to interest income. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent an issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.

(q) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. The actual source of the Fund’s monthly distributions may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		31

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

(r) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.

(s) Federal and other taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements. However, due to the timing of when distributions are made by the Fund, the Fund may be subject to an excise tax of 4% of the amount by which 98% of the Fund’s annual taxable income and 98.2% of net realized gains exceed the distributions from such taxable income and realized gains for the calendar year.

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of December 31, 2016, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

(t) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share.

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager. Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”) and Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset Limited”) are the Fund’s subadvisers. LMPFA, Western Asset and Western Asset Limited are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”).

Under the investment management agreement, the Fund pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets. Managed assets are net assets plus the proceeds of any outstanding borrowings used for leverage.

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. Western Asset Limited provides certain subadvisory services to the Fund relating to currency transactions and investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated debt securities. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset monthly 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund. In turn, Western Asset pays Western Asset Limited a monthly subadvisory fee at an annual rate of 0.70% of the Fund’s daily managed assets that the subadviser allocates to Western Asset Limited to manage.


32		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

During periods in which the Fund utilizes financial leverage, the fees paid to LMPFA will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees are calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s assets, including those investments purchased with leverage.

All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.

3. Investments

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) and U.S. Government & Agency Obligations were as follows:


	Investments		U.S. Government & Agency Obligations
Purchases	$	45,286,546	$	9,352,077
Sales		64,248,173		1,920,853

At June 30, 2017, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:


Gross unrealized appreciation	$	25,308,929
Gross unrealized depreciation		(13,154,152)
Net unrealized appreciation	$	12,154,777

4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2017.


ASSET DERIVATIVES¹
	Interest Rate Risk
Futures contracts²	$	50,818


LIABILITY DERIVATIVES¹
	Interest Rate Risk		Credit Risk		Total
Futures contracts²	$	2,267		—	$	2,267
OTC swap contracts³		—	$	64,033		64,033
Total	$	2,267	$	64,033	$	66,300

¹	Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

²	Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

³	Values include premiums paid (received) on swap contracts which are shown separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		33

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Fund’s derivatives and hedging activities during the period.


AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED
	Interest Rate Risk		Foreign Exchange Risk		Credit Risk		Total
Futures contracts	$	(364,829)		—		—	$	(364,829)
Swap contracts		—		—	$	59,355		59,355
Forward foreign currency contracts		—	$	(1,224)		—		(1,224)
Total	$	(364,829)	$	(1,224)	$	59,355	$	(306,698)


CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED
	Interest Rate Risk		Foreign Exchange Risk		Credit Risk		Total
Futures contracts	$	60,028		—		—	$	60,028
Swap contracts		—		—	$	122,508		122,508
Forward foreign currency contracts		—	$	1,224		—		1,224
Total	$	60,028	$	1,224	$	122,508	$	183,760

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:


	Average Market Value
Futures contracts (to buy)	$	607,219
Futures contracts (to sell)		21,085,377
Forward foreign currency contracts (to buy)†		73,386
Forward foreign currency contracts (to sell)†		73,386

	Average Notional Balance
Total return swap contracts	$	5,558,414

†	At June 30, 2017, there were no open positions held in this derivative.

The following table presents by financial instrument, the Fund’s derivative assets net of the related collateral received by the Fund at June 30, 2017:


	Gross Amount of Derivative Assets in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities¹		Collateral Received		Net Amount
Futures contracts²	$	40,360		—	$	40,360


34		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

The following table presents by financial instrument, the Fund’s derivative liabilities net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund at June 30, 2017:


	Gross Amount of Derivative Liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities¹		Collateral Pledged^3,4		Net Amount
OTC swap contracts	$	64,033	$	(64,033)		—

¹	Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

²	Amount represents the current day’s variation margin as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. It differs from the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) presented in the previous table.

³	Gross amounts are not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

⁴	In some instances, the actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

5. Loan

The Fund has a revolving credit agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company that allows the Fund to borrow up to an aggregate amount of $120,000,000 and renews daily for a 270-day term unless notice to the contrary is given to the Fund. The Fund pays a commitment fee at an annual rate of 0.25% on the unutilized portion of the loan commitment amount. The interest on the loan is calculated at a variable rate based on the LIBOR, plus any applicable margin. To the extent of the borrowing outstanding, the Fund is required to maintain collateral in a special custody account at the Fund’s custodian on behalf of State Street Bank and Trust Company. The Fund’s credit agreement contains customary covenants that, among other things, may limit the Fund’s ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. In addition, the credit agreement may be subject to early termination under certain conditions and may contain other provisions that could limit the Fund’s ability to utilize borrowing under the agreement. Interest expense related to the loan for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $946,676. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Fund incurred commitment fees in the amount of $22,940. At June 30, 2017, the Fund had $101,750,000 of borrowings outstanding per this credit agreement. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Fund had an average loan balance outstanding of $101,750,000 and the weighted average interest rate was 1.88%.

6. Distributions subsequent to June 30, 2017

The following distributions have been declared by the Fund’s Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:


Record Date	Payable Date		Amount
6/23/2017		7/3/2017	$	0.2350
7/21/2017		8/1/2017	$	0.2350
8/25/2017		9/1/2017	$	0.2350
9/22/2017		10/2/2017	$	0.2250	*
10/20/2017		11/1/2017	$	0.2250
11/24/2017		12/1/2017	$	0.2250

*	Distribution comprised of $0.0766 from income and $0.1484 from long-term gains.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		35

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

7. Stock repurchase program

On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed management of the Fund to repurchase shares of common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes may enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.

8. Recent accounting pronouncement

In October 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted new rules and amended existing rules (together, the “final rules”) intended to modernize the reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies. In part, the final rules amend Regulation S-X and require standardized, enhanced disclosure about derivatives in investment company financial statements, as well as other amendments. The compliance date for the amendments to Regulation S-X is August 1, 2017. Management is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the amendments to Regulation S-X will have on the Fund’s financial statements and related disclosures.


36		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Additional shareholder information (unaudited)

Results of annual meeting of shareholders

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. was held on April 28, 2017, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the election of Directors. The following table provides information concerning the matter voted upon at the meeting:

Election of directors


Nominees	Votes For		Votes Withheld
Carol L. Colman		9,258,783		81,242
Daniel P. Cronin		9,244,649		95,376
Paolo M. Cucchi		9,217,900		122,125

At June 30, 2017, in addition to Carol L. Colman, Daniel P. Cronin and Paolo M. Cucchi, the other Directors of the Fund were as follows:

Robert D. Agdern

Leslie H. Gelb

William R. Hutchinson

Eileen A. Kamerick

Riordan Roett

Jane Trust


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		37

Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Inc., as agent for the stockholders (the “Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Inc., as dividend paying agent.

If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:

(1) If the market price of the Common Stock on the record date (or, if the record date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) for determining stockholders eligible to receive the relevant dividend or distribution (the “determination date”) is equal to or exceeds 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Stock, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of

(a) 98% of the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the determination date or

(b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the determination date.

(2) If 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock on the determination date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the determination date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the record date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price rises so that it equals or exceeds 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the determination date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) 98% of the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the determination date or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.

Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan.


38		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.

Upon any termination, you will be sent a certificate or certificates for the full number of shares of Common Stock held for you under the Plan and cash for any fractional share of Common Stock. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. You will be charged a service charge and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred for this transaction from the proceeds.

There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. The Plan may be amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the amendment or supplement is to be effective. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.

***

On December 15, 2016, the Fund announced that the Board of Directors has authorized changes to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”) with respect to dividend reinvestment determinations and transaction fees for Plan participants selling their shares. A copy of the revised Plan is included below.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		39

Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (cont’d)

Effective July 1, 2017, the Fund uses the dividend payment date to determine if new shares are issued or shares are purchased in the open market for Plan participants reinvesting their distributions. If on the payment date the closing market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) is at or above the net asset value (“NAV”), the Fund will issue new shares of common stock. Newly issued shares of common stock will be issued at a price equal to the greater of (a) the NAV per share on the date prior to issuance or (b) 95% of the closing market price per share. If the closing market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) is lower than the NAV per share on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the distribution in cash and purchase common stock in the open market. In addition, effective July 1, 2017, fees paid by Plan participants to sell Fund shares decreased, with Plan participants paying a $5.00 transaction fee plus a $0.05 per share commission upon a sale of shares held pursuant to the Plan.

Revised Dividend reinvestment plan:

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the stockholders (the “Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as dividend paying agent.

If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:

(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the payment date (or, if the payment date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.

(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date before the Plan Agent has completed the


40		Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.

Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan. You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.

Plan participants who sell their shares will be charged a service charge (currently $5.00 per transaction) and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.


Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		41

Western Asset

Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Directors

Robert D. Agdern

Carol L. Colman

Daniel P. Cronin

Paolo M. Cucchi

Leslie H. Gelb

William R. Hutchinson

Eileen A. Kamerick

Riordan Roett

Jane Trust

Chairman

Officers

Jane Trust

President and Chief Executive Officer

Richard F. Sennett

Principal Financial Officer

Todd F. Kuehl*

Chief Compliance Officer

Jenna Bailey

Identity Theft Prevention Officer

Robert I. Frenkel

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Thomas C. Mandia

Assistant Secretary

Steven Frank

Treasurer

Jeanne M. Kelly

Senior Vice President

*	Effective May 11, 2017, Mr. Kuehl became Chief Compliance Officer.

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

620 Eight Avenue

49^th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Investment manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Subadvisers

Western Asset Management Company

Western Asset Management Company Limited

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

1 Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer agent

Computershare Inc.

462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600

Louisville, KY 40202

Independent registered public accounting firm

KPMG LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Legal counsel

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

New York Stock Exchange Symbol

DMO

Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice

Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds

This Privacy and Security Notice (the “Privacy Notice”) addresses the Legg Mason Funds’ privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include any funds sold by the Funds’ distributor, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds and certain closed-end funds managed or sub-advised by Legg Mason or its affiliates. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.

The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You

The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:

•

Personal information included on applications or other forms;

•

Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions;

•

Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses; and

•

Information received from consumer reporting agencies regarding credit history and creditworthiness (such as the amount of an individual’s total debt, payment history, etc.).

How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You

The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, or with other financial institutions or affiliates for joint marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required by law. The Funds may disclose information about you to:

•

Employees, agents, and affiliates on a “need to know” basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business or comply with obligations to government regulators;

•

Service providers, including the Funds’ affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds’ behalf, including companies that may perform marketing services solely for the Funds;

•

The Funds’ representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors; and

•

Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust.

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds’ behalf are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform.

The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law, such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes, the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties. While it is the Funds’ practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.

Keeping You Informed of the Funds’ Privacy and Security Practices

The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time they will notify you promptly if this privacy policy changes.

The Funds’ Security Practices

The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds’ internal data security policies restrict access to your non-public personal information to authorized employees, who may use your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.

Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary so you can take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.

In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete, not accurate or not current, or if you have questions about the Funds’ privacy practices, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds’ website at www.leggmason.com, or contact the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue

49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase, at market prices, shares of its stock.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Fund, shareholders can call 1-888-777-0102.

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.

Computershare Inc.

462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600

Louisville, KY 40202

WASX012835 8/17 SR17-3147

ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable.

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 6.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Included herein under Item 1.

ITEM 7.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 8.

INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 9.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a)

The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12.

EXHIBITS.

(a) (1) Not applicable.

Exhibit 99.CODE ETH

(a) (2) Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.CERT

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.906CERT

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


By:		/s/ Jane Trust
		Jane Trust
		Chief Executive Officer

Date:		August 21, 2017

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


By:		/s/ Jane Trust
		Jane Trust
		Chief Executive Officer

Date:		August 21, 2017

By:		/s/ Richard F. Sennett
		Richard F. Sennett
		Principal Financial Officer

Date:		August 21, 2017